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What is a group exercise?

Group exercises can take a variety of forms, however, the most common activities include:

Case study scenarios - involve the group being given a work-related situation or challenge. All candidates may have the same brief or you may be given different information to bring to the task or different roles to play.

Discussion exercises - involve the group being given a topic to discuss. Topics may be sector specific, a current topic in the news or an area of general knowledge.

Ice breaker or team task – the group will be set a practical or intellectual challenge to complete within a specified timescale. Assessors will be looking at how you work as a team to plan, implement and achieve the task.

What role will you play in the group?

When working as a team not everyone can be the leader, nor is everyone a natural leader.

Belbinidentified nine different roles and behaviours carried out by team members. Think about your strengths and consider the type of team contribution you can make.

The dos and don'ts of group exercises

Do...

Participate by making regular contributions during the task. This could include sharing your ideas or having a motivating impact on the group.

Value everyone’s input – encourage quiet members to contribute by bringing them into the conversation and acknowledge good points made by other candidates.

Demonstrate active listening skills by asking questions and use verbal and non-verbal cues to show you agree/understand what is being said.

Compromise on areas to ensure the end goal is reached.

Challenge others if you disagree with their ideas or point of view but remember to always back up your argument with reasoning.

Ensure everyone understands the task objective, suggest a plan of action and keep an eye on time by suggesting that someone is the timekeeper.

Bring the group back on task if the discussion goes off on a tangent.

Don't...

Dominate the discussion, shout the loudest or become argumentative. These are not the traits of a good collaborator.

Interrupt or talk over other candidates while they are talking or dismiss others point of view.

Sit and think without contributing to the conversation or task. If you have an idea or thought, say it before someone else does.

Volunteer to record the discussions on behalf of the group unless you can use this to your advantage to facilitate the discussion. You may risk becoming the minute taker rather than actively contributing to the task.